By MARK REY MONTEJO
Filipina Chezka Centeno came through with tough shots in the crucial third game and completed a stirring comeback against the fancied Jasmin Ouschan of Austria in the women’s 10-Ball Las Vegas Open at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino on Friday, Feb. 23 (Manila time).
After being blanked in the first game of the race-to-three contest, Centeno, ranked No. 9 in the WPA, fought back like a wounded lion, taking the next set with nary a trouble before outsteadying her third-ranked rival in the deciding match for a 0-4, 4-1, 4-3 win.
With the win, the 24-year-old reigning WPA 9-Ball world champion advanced to the round-of-16 of the event offering $18,000 (roughly P1 million) grand prize to the champion.
It was a back-and-forth affair for Centeno and Ouschan in the final set, despite the latter seizing a 3-2 lead.
The Filipino refused to be intimated, winning two-straight racks to close out the match.
Centeno was ruthless against US-based Filipina Emilyn Callado, romping to 4-0, 4-0 win in the first round.
Another PH bet Dori De Leon, also bowed out of contention after yielding to USA’s Callado (2-1) and Sue Orr (2-0).
